'Camino' leads Goya Awards with six nods

Penelope Cruz, Benicio Del Toro also honored

MADRID -- Javier Fesser's mystical "Camino" walked away as the big winner Sunday at the 23rd Goya Awards, taking home nods for best film, director, actress, new actress, supporting actor and original screenplay.

"Camino," which tells the true story of a young girl's death, her mother's staunch Catholic beliefs and the Church's effort to canonize the girl, saw young Nerea Camacho win the new actress award and Carme Elias, who played her mother, take the lead actress honor.

" 'Camino' is a love story and vindication of the right to be happy. In these times, it's important to hope," said producer Jaume Roures, head of Mediapro, which also produced Woody Allen's Spanish film "Vicky Cristina Barcelona."

Penelope Cruz seemed to sum up the international vibe of the evening when she picked up her Goya for supporting actress in "Barcelona," the same role that earned her an Oscar nomination.

"I've always been a fan of Woody Allen, and that my peers honor me for a Spanish film made by him makes me very happy," she said. "Thanks Woody for believing in me."

Cruz was not the only international star to grace the stage. Benicio Del Toro took the lead actor award for his portrayal of Che Guevara in Steven Soderbergh's Spanish production "Che: The Argentine."

Alex de la Iglesia's English-language whodunit "The Oxford Murders" won three awards.Jose Luis Cuerda's "The Blind Sunflowers" had the dubious honor of the poorest showing. Nominated in 15 categories, the drama starring Maribel Verdu won only the adapted screenplay award for the late Rafael Azcona.

The gala aired on pubcaster Radio Television Espanola's first channel, on a one-hour delay.

A complete list of winners is on the next page.

A complete list of winners follows:

Film "Camino," directed by Javier Fesser, produced by Mediapro and Peliculas Pendelton